Brake Drums

After removing the brake drum, wipe out the accumulated dust with a damp cloth.

WARNING

Do not blow the brake dust out of the drums with compressed air or lung-power. Brake linings contain asbestos, a known cancer causing substance. Dispose of the cloth used to clean the parts after use.

Inspect the drums for cracks, deep grooves, roughness, scoring, or out-of-roundness. Replace any drum which is cracked; do not try to weld it up.

Smooth any slight scores by polishing the friction surface with fine emery cloth. Heavy or extensive scoring will cause excessive lining wear and should be removed from the drum through resurfacing, a job to be referred to your local machine shop or garage. The maximum refinished diameter of the drums is 8.880 in. (225.5mm). The drum must be replaced if the diameter is 8.909 in. (226.30mm).

Fig. Most vehicles will have their maximum wear specification stamped into the brake drum

Removal & Installation

Specific to:

Buick LeSabre 1986-1999

Buick Park Avenue 1996-1999

Oldsmobile 88 1992-1999

Oldsmobile Delta 88 1986-1988

Oldsmobile LSS 1996-1999

Pontiac Bonneville 1987-1999

Mark the relationship of the wheel to the axle flange to help maintain wheel balance after assembly.

Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

Mark the relationship of the brake drum to the axle flange.

Do not pry against the splash shield that surrounds the backing plate in an attempt to free the drum. This will bend the splash shield.

If difficulty is encountered in removing the brake drum, the following steps may be of assistance.

Make sure the parking brake is released.

Back off the parking brake cable adjustment.

Remove the access hole plug from the backing plate.

Using a screwdriver, back off the adjusting screw.

Fig. The brake drum can usually be pulled straight off the lug studs

Reinstall the access hole plug to prevent dirt or contamination from entering the drum brake assembly.

Use a small amount of penetrating oil applied around the brake drum pilot hole.

Carefully remove the brake drum from the vehicle.

After removing the brake drum it should be checked for the following:

Inspecting for cracks and deep grooves.

Inspect for out of round and taper.

Inspecting for hot spots (black in color).

Fig. If the drum is hard to remove, remove the access plug, then back off the adjusting screw

To install:

Install the brake drum onto the vehicle aligning the reference marks on the axle flange.